LIVESTREAM Austria: Swarco Raiders @ Dacia Vienna Vikings, April 24, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10:00 am ET)
Two Austrian football powerhouses face off today with the Dacia Vienna Vikings (2-0) hosting the Swarco Raiders Tirol (1-0).
These two teams have met in the last three Austrian Bowl championships and are on course to potentially meet there again this season. Austrian Football League fans are eager to see which of these programs looks like the title favorite in 2021.
The Swarco Raiders roll into Vienna after a 45-18 win in their first game of the season against the Projekt Spielberg Graz Giants. The Raiders offense put on a clinic, as veteran quarterback Sean Shelton threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns. Look for Shelton to be passing to receivers Adrian Platzgummer and Marco Schneider again this week as the duo combined for 173 yards and four touchdowns. In the running game, look for Tobias Bonatti to get more carries Saturday as he averaged nine yards a run against the Graz defense.
Shelton kept in simple explaining what it’s like preparing for a Vikings program he knows well:
“It going to take what it always takes against the Vikings. A great game plan and great execution.”
Defensively, the Raiders forced two fumbles and had an interception in last week’s blowout. Look for Vincent Müller and the Swarco secondary to be flying around making plays this week. Linebacker AJ Wentland is expected to make his debut adding to an already experienced defensive unit. Wentland was the German Football League’s leading tackler for the Dresden Monarchs during both the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Wentland’s play in the box against a powerful Vienna running game will be one of the keys to victory.
For the Vikings, their 2020 best-of-five series championship might look good on their mantle, but to most fans it doesn’t hold the merit of a true Austrian Bowl. Vienna is looking to hoist the trophy in 2021 for this first time since 2017. So far, the Vikings have started the season on a tear, as they are coming off an impressive 10 point victory win against the SsangYong Danube Dragons. Vienna’s offense features a smash mouth running attack headlined by Austrian Florian Wegen, who is averaging 131 yards a game on the ground. His powerful running is complimented well by the athletic play style of quarterback Eystin Salum who has scored five touchdowns on the ground this season while throwing for two more scores. Look for Salum to target new receiver Michell Paige as the two continue to build a connection. Paige was one of Germany’s best playmakers in 2018 scoring 26 touchdowns as teammate of AJ Wentland on the Dresden Monarchs.
Quarterback Eystin Salum is excited for this early season test:
“Raiders week. It will take a total Vikings organization effort. Top to bottom we need to bring it.”
Defensively, the Vikings Leon Balogh has been terrorizing quarterbacks this season with five sacks and two forced fumbles in only two games. If Balogh can get pressure on the Raiders quarterback, the Vikings defense has a chance of slowly down the potent Swarco passing attack.
The Vikings are eager to get a win against the Raiders as they have dropped five of the last six matchups to the Raiders.
Watch the game live here. Swarco Raiders @ Dacia Vienna Vikings, April 24, 16:00 CET (4 pm, 10:00 am ET)
Dacia Vienna Vikings roster (Click to enlarge)
Swarco Raiders roster (Click to enlarge)
